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Mestawet Mekurya - Ethiopia

Child marriage often perpetuates an intergenerational cycle of poverty. When girls get married at an early age, their prospects for a healthy and successful life will be at stake.

When Mestawet Mekurya, 14, confronted her parents who wanted to marry her off, she was strong enough to explain her objection. Her ability to ‘argue her case’ was because she had been attending a girls’ club at school where she learnt about child marriage and its consequences. She was informed and prepared. When her parents insisted, she ran to the police and found protection.

With the help of village elders her parents ultimately understood and agreed with Mestawet’s decision. This experience convinced Mestawet to be fully involved in her girls’ club, committed to making a difference. She wants other girls to be able to do the same. She is making Ethiopia a better and safer place for young girls and boys. #SheisWe.

She is We

She is We

She is We

"She is We" shows that when women are empowered, protected, trusted and invested in, there are benefits for all of us. The campaign emphasizes striking stories of people everywhere in the world, and engages renowned personalities, activists, and members of the development community. This campaign is organized by EuropeAid for the European Development Days – a global forum focusing this year on "Women and Girls at the Forefront of Sustainable Development" to promote a safer, more inclusive and open world for women.